U.S. Issues Travel Alert After Awlaki Death
The State Department issued a worldwide travel alert on Saturday warning of the possibility of anti-American attacks in response to the killing of two top al Qaeda members. Read more
Occupy Wall Street Spreads
Protests received a boost on 5 October 2011, as members of several unions joined the rallies in New York City. The protests have spread outside of New York City, with rallies having occurred or being planned in other major cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Houston. New York will likely remain the site of the largest rallies, but travelers to other major U.S. cities should remain abreast of developments due to the potential for localized ground transportation disruptions. The rallies are unlikely to pose a security threat.
More Qantas Strikes Looming: 64 Flights Cancelled for Monday
Qantas will cancel 40 flights and delay 24 more flights, including 11 international services, this coming Monday (October 10) due to the latest round of industrial action by unions. Read more
Watch for updates on our Breaking News page or your company’s travel website
Does my company’s insurance cover my rental car if I use it for a personal side-trip?
It depends. If you plan to tack on a couple of personal days to your next business trip you will want to check with your company ahead of time to determine if additional car rental insurance will be needed. Some companies' insurance plans cover any use of the car while others limit it to business use only and require that you purchase separate insurance for the personal use. Most companies will cover a local sidetrip that occurs during the business portion of the trip. For example, your meetings run from Tuesday through Friday, but you have some free time on Thursday afternoon (or in the evenings) and want to take in the local sights. It’s still a good idea to check with your employer first to be sure you understand the coverage and limitations to avoid being stuck with an expensive repair bill.
that airlines measure on-time departure from the point of push-back from the gate?
They do this because they can control the loading and preparation of the aircraft, which occur prior to push-back, but cannot control anything that happens after push-back, such as weather or air traffic control delays. The reverse is true for on-time arrivals. These are measured from the time the wheels touch down on the runway because the airline has at least some control up to that point, but cannot always control whether there is a gate ready to receive the plane.
France for Women Only
It’s mystical, it’s engaging, and it’s fabulous. It’s Provence and Paris!
France for Women Only - A Jewish History Travel Tour
by noted Jewish Educator and Historian Claire Goldstein Simmons
The beauty of spring in France infuses the soul with excitement and energy.
Jewish luminaries come alive as we follow in their footsteps through
mystical villages of Provence to the eternal city of Paris and
discuss how they shaped the contours and substance of French culture.
Embark on a personal journey to discover the historical reach of the Jewish philosophers,
Rabbis and artists of France and their contributions to this unique Jewish community.
Meet us in Aix en Provence on the 16th of April, 2012 and
experience one of the very first countries in the world that granted
Jews full political, legal and social equality.
We will rediscover what made France both a hub of Jewish emancipation and persecution.
OTHER NEWS
Local Business Travel Association Chapters Hold Educations Luncheons
The local chapters of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) are both hosting educational luncheons next week. The Northern Virginia chapter’s topic will be Strategic Air Sourcing and the Baltimore/Washington chapter will be talking about What To Look For In Commerical Card Solutions. Follow the links below for more details or to register.
NVBTAL: http://www.nvbta.org/
Inspirational Words From Steve Jobs
“You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” Read more
TSA To Try Risk-Based Screening At 4 Airports On Passengers Who Volunteer More Information
A select group of travelers may find it easier Tuesday getting through security checkpoints at four major U.S. airports in return for voluntarily providing more personal information to the federal government as part of a new pilot program. Read more
TSA to Test Machines That Match Boarding Pass With Passenger's ID
In a move that could improve security and keep airport lines moving, the Transportation Security Administration early next year will begin testing machines that match a traveler's boarding pass with his or her government-issued ID, while verifying that both documents are authentic. Read more
Off Topic, But Too Good Not To Share- Richard Branson Gives Entrepreneurs Time Management Tips
How does Richard Branson handle the same time day-to-day challenges that you and I face: hundreds of emails a day, his blackberry, tasks to delegate, and a big picture to focus on? His answers might surprise you. Read more
Introducing the United Club
United’s Red Carpet Club and Continental’s Presidents Club have been rebranded as the United Club. With over 50 locations in 39 airports around the world, United Club patrons will enjoy complimentary bar service, light snacks and beverages; business amenities such as Wi-Fi, conference rooms and workstations; and personalized assistance with reservations, seat selection, upgrades and boarding passes. Existing Red Carpet Club and Presidents Club members may access any of the new United Club locations. Entry to the United Club remains complimentary for passengers traveling on most international flights in United First, United Business and Continental BusinessFirst. Read more
BWI Lands Nonstop Route to Germany
German carrier Condor Airlines will begin flying to Baltimore/Washington International this summer, giving the Maryland airport a much-desired new overseas route. Read more
British Airways Offers Plane Crash Survival Class
"It makes passengers safer when traveling by giving additional skills and information, it dispels all those internet theories about the brace position, and it just gives people so much more confidence in flying." Read more
United-Provided Medical Oxygen Discontinued
Effective November 1st, United Airlines will no longer offer in-flight medical oxygen except on flights between Guam and Tokyo, and Guam and Honolulu. Passengers may use their own FAA-approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC). Read more
OpenSkies To End Dulles-Orly Service At End Of Month
The all-business-class subsidiary of British Airways will fly its last flight between the cities on Oct. 28, a move that will leave it with just one other route: Newark Liberty-Paris Orly. Passengers booked on flights after Oct. 28 will have the option of either being accommodated on British Airways flights via London or receiving a full refund. Read more
Healthiest Airport Food — And Airport Food To Avoid
Air travel, like holiday parties and office bake-offs, is one of those occasions during which it's acutely difficult to eat wholesome, healthy food. Read more
Business Travel Tax Tips for the Self Employed
If your trip is for both business and pleasure, you can generally deduct your costs of getting to and from your destination. Then you must allocate your expenses between business and personal. Read more
Are Luxury Hotels Re-Thinking Internet Fees?
Under growing pressure from business travelers to eliminate fees for Internet access, five-star properties, the last holdouts, just may be starting to cave — that is, if a move by one luxury hotel in Bangkok is an indication. Read more
Ultimate Business Trip Packing List
Whether you’re gone for a few days to a big bustling conference or travel to meet a potential business partner or client, this gear will help keep you organized, happy, and lookin’ good. Read more
Katrina-Battered Hotel Finally Ready To Reopen
In just a few short weeks, a glamorous and completely rebuilt Hyatt Regency New Orleans will reopen following a $275 million, multi-year renovation. Read more
Hotel Rates Near Pre-Recession Prices — and Rising
In the first week of September, the average room rate in the U.S. rose to $107, just short of the high mark of $110 set in March 2008. Read more
Hotel Body Language
For instance, the chain learned that women often respond better to face-to-face communication, said Chrissy Denihan, Affinia's "chief comfort officer." Men apparently prefer side-by-side communication, Denihan said. Read more
American Hotels Embrace Chinese Business Travelers
Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide and Starwood Hotels and Resorts are among the hotel management companies that are starting or have recently introduced initiatives to welcome Chinese travelers. 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, Jeff D'Eramo from Travel-On Onsite Team received this note from a client.
"I recently completed a business trip to Afghanistan with a colleague. Pretty much everything went wrong with this trip that could go wrong. Probably the only thing that held this trip together and allowed us to succeed was the great support provided by Jeff.
Jeff communicated with us throughout the mission and provided us options and ideas to help us get there and back. He was basically a lifeline to us the whole way. The bottom line is: We were supporting a critical requirement of US deployed forces and we would have failed if not for Jeff’s great work.
I have always had great service from him and Travelon, but this trip was an exception that deserves mention. "
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
TRAVEL WARNINGS / ALERTS
Mali 10/04/2011
Syria 09/30/2011
Tunisia 10/05/2011
Worldwide 10/01/2011
LEISURE TRAVEL EXCLUSIVES
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(Travel Place is the leisure travel division of Travel-On.)
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