Is Your Corporate Travel Agency Saving You Money?

Do you get a monthly fare savings report from your corporate client? How much money have they saved you in the past month? Year?

Do you get discounts on cars and hotels? My clients get 20 percent off of Hertz - 10 percent off of Avis and similar discounts with other car companies.  If you are not getting these things it is time to re-evaluate your relationship with your corporate travel agent. 

Contact me today for a review of your corporate policies and find out how we can save you money!

We are celebrating our 28th year in business! 

What is the deal on American Airlines' Choice Class of Service?

A client called me today about the new American "Choice Classes." The way it was explained to her, if you pay a bit more you don't have to pay a change fee. True. What the agent failed to tell her is that you are still stuck with paying difference between the new fare and the old fare. So while you escape the $200 fee, you will still be hit with the new fare which could be any amount up to and over $1000 depending on the itinerary.

Choice might be a help - and there are other benefits - but you still have to pay for changes.
Here is a complete breakdown in the various levels of Choice.

Choice

With this option, you select the individual perks you want to enjoy. Start with the standard benefits of pre-reserving your seat and earning AAdvantage® miles, then add any extra benefits you would like. Want to be among the first to board? Or perhaps relax in the Admirals Club®? You have the freedom to design a travel experience tailored to your preferences.

Choice includes:
• Pre-reserved seat
• Earn AAdvantage miles

Choice Essential

With Choice Essential, your trip automatically becomes easier and more flexible. On top of our standard benefits, you'll enjoy extra perks that make your flight even more convenient: Check a bag, be among the first to board and have the option to change your flight without a fee.

If you're an AAdvantage® elite status member, you'll receive all the benefits you already enjoy, plus you'll be able to check a third bag. AAdvantage® Executive Platinum members receive an additional fourth bag with purchase of this fare.

Choice Essential includes:
• 1 checked bag
• Group 1 Boarding
• No change fee (any difference in fares would still apply)
• Pre-reserved seat
• Earn AAdvantage miles

Choice Plus

Looking for a way to make travel more comfortable, convenient and worry-free? Choice Plus means you can call off the search. If your plans change on a moment's notice, it's not a problem. You can standby for a different flight or even change your flight on the day of travel with no change fee. You'll also be one of the first to board, check a bag, enjoy a free drink and earn more AAdvantage® miles.

If you're an AAdvantage elite status member, you'll receive all the benefits you already enjoy, plus you'll be able to check a third bag. AAdvantage® Executive Platinum members receive an additional fourth bag with purchase of this fare.

• 1 checked bag
• Group 1 Boarding
• No change fee (any difference in fares would still apply)
• Same-day flight change
• Same-day standby
• Premium beverage on board
• Pre-reserved seat
• Earn 50% more AAdvantage miles

Some Fun Business Apps

The Bag Check Keeps An Electronic Eye On Your Luggage

I have to admit this is a bit extravagant but if you are really, really tired of losing your luggage check out The Bag Check by Trackdot. For $50 you have this handy-dandy device that slips into your checked bag and sends back information on the location of the bag. You can recived updates by text, an iOS or Android app or e-mail.

There is an $8.99 activation fee and a @12.99 yearly fee.

Hop Stop

Once you get off of the plane and need to jump on public transportation to make your meeting use hopstop,

http://www.hopstop.com/.

Plug your start and end points into HopStop to find out the best train or bus route in the city you're visiting. The app is currently available for 16 cities, states and regions in the US and Europe, including New York City, Long Island, San Francisco, Paris and New Jersey. Yes, New Jersey.

I am waiting for one that packs your luggage!

Amazing Abercrombie and Kent Savings - starts Nov 26

Promotion begins November 26, 8:00 a.m. CST and ends November 30, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. CST. Prices are based on double occupancy and are subject to availability. International air is not included. Payment in full is due upon booking and is non-refundable. These offers are for new bookings only, are not combinable with any other offer, discount or promotion. Other restrictions may apply.

This Is Why You Need A Travel Agent

We see it every time there is a natural disaster! People call me who I haven't heard from in years or clients call me about a friend and it is the same story. We can't get through to the airlines or Amtrak and we are now stuck because of the storm. There is almost nothing I can do for them except run a new ticket at the current price. I have no access to tickets I have not run. I can not change them, refund them or even see them.

My clients have all been moved to other flights or their reservations have been cancelled and refunded. They spend exactly as much time as it takes to call or email me.


You need someone in your corner when you travel! We save you time, money and pain.

Sale at Travel Impressions Ends this Friday

Take advantage of a great sale on many Travel Impressions properties. We are giving you a reason to celebrate each week with amazing offers. They are only bookable from now until Friday so hurry! BAHAMAS: Double Room Upgrade Nassau Beach Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort & Casino 3 Nights from $490 Per Person Valid for Travel Now Through December 23, 2012 LAKE BUENA VISTA: Buy 1, Get 1 Free Massage Treatment Lake Buena Vista, Florida Lake Beuna Vista Resort Village & Spa 3 Nights From $334 Per Person Valid for Travel Now Through December 15, 2012 GRAND CAYMAN: 2-For-1 Tropicana Tours Grand Cayman The Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa 3 Nights From $480 Per Person Valid for Travel Now Through September 30, 2012 FT. LAUDERDALE: Double Room Upgrade Ft. Lauderdale, Florida The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa 3 Nights From $279 Per Person Valid for Travel Now Through September 30, 2012 CANCUN: Buy 1, Get 1 Free Massage Cancun, Mexico Marriott CasaMagna Cancun Resort 3 Nights From $306 Per Person Valid for Travel Now Through December 20, 2012

Shouldn't you be doing your work and making money and not standing in line?

The weather is bad and flights are being cancelled and people are being stranded...well those who don't have a good travel are stranded anyway. When the weather goes bad, those people who are standing and sleeping in airports are the ones who believed they could "do it themselves." All of my clients are rebooked as flights are cancelled and don't have to waste valuable business hours standing in lines.

Shouldn't you be doing your work and making money and not standing in line?

Don't go off on your trip without travel insurance....

I can't tell you how many people don't think of travel insurance for their trip! If you are spending $4000 on a honeymoon to Europe or even $1200 on a cruise special you need to think about protecting your money in case the unthinkable happens. (Like the groom who got a kidney stone attack on his wedding day!) For another $50 - $100 you can be sure that if you have to change or cancel your trip due to accident or illness your money will be safe.

Another thing to think about is a cell phone. If your phone company doesn't have service where you are going - I can rent you a phone for about $14 a week!

Travel Agents are back!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/travelers-turn-back-to-travel-agents/2011/04/25/AFZcLM8F_story.html

The "Washington Post" finally wrote an article about something those of us in the business know - smart travellers have someone protecting them... Smart travellers have travel agents

I

Testimonal in response to New York Times Article

Dear Mr. Sharkey,


Thank you for your column today pointing out the

advantages of having/using a travel agent.

We are still using the excellent services of my longtime

travel agent, Joan Porte of Joan’s Travel Agency in

Arlington, Va.

I have been with Joans Travel since 1987-88, when she

superbly handled, day and night, all the travel for Al Gore’s

presidential campaign.

(I was Gore’s national press secretary).

Many times when we have run into a jam, such as a

screw-up when a “connecting” flight fails to connect,

we immediately call Joan.

She always answers the phone herself.

And she always proves to be by far the most effective

means of getting an alternative flight way ahead of

anything the airline does.

And when booking, she always finds us the best price.

Well worth the fee we pay for her services.

No hassle for us, no nightmares on the computer.

She and her small firm just celebrated their

25th anniversary last month.

Best regards,

Arlie Schardt

1224 Boucher Ave

Annapolis, MD 21403

410/267-6942

Thank you to Exquisite Honeymoons

Joan, we can't thank you enough for organizing this tour and all of our trips. We are so grateful and are benefiting greatly from your expertise. You are the best travel agent around--no doubt about it.




Looking forward to the next trip next year (and every year thereafter)!



JT

Flawless arrangments by Joan's Travel Partners

Joan,


It was unbelievable! We had such a good time and all your arrangements were flawless. Rick and Ernie took 1000’s of pictures. I will encourage them to send

some to you. We mentioned you each day saying “Praise Joan”! I am into MANY emails, so will give you more detail later in the week. Best Regards, Marilyn